Student Foundation, Symphony Orchestra partner for Pops Concert

September 30, 2013

Music from the silver screen forms the program for the Emporia Symphony Orchestra’s first concert of the fall season.

“We’ve been wanting to do a Pops Concert for a long time,” said Dr. Jeremy Starr, assistant professor of music at Emporia State University. Starr is in his fifth year as conductor of the Emporia Symphony Orchestra.

The concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8 at the Granada Theatre, 807 Commercial St. The event is open to the public free of charge, although donations will be gratefully accepted.

Audience members are encouraged to dress in costumes representing their favorite movies as the orchestra pulls from the soundtracks of hits such as “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Gone with the Wind,” “Star Wars” and “Lord of the Rings.” Members of the Emporia State Student Foundation will be handing out prizes for the best costumes during the concert's intermission.

“We’re excited about collaborating with the Emporia Symphony Orchestra this year for the first-ever Movie Music performance,” said Angela Fullen, Student Foundation adviser and director of annual giving for the Emporia State Foundation. Student Foundation members have been helping promote the upcoming concert on campus and in the community.

“The timing was perfect to start our season with a movie music concert and feature live, orchestral music from some of the blockbuster hits,” Starr said, noting that the event serves as a lead-in for Emporia State’s Homecoming 150 celebration that takes place the following week.

“We’re playing some awesome music, so every second of our concert is going to be fantastic,” said Emily Lang, sophomore elementary education major from Prairie Village. One of approximately 30 Emporia State students who are members of the community orchestra, Lang plays the viola.

The orchestra also includes another 40 performers who are area community residents and Emporia State faculty or staff members.